Hey Guys and Girls got my first (NOTICE OF INTENDED PROSECUTION) from West Yorkshire Police today.

As reads:

In accordance with section 1 Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (as amended by section 22) and schedule 1 Road Traffic Act 1991, I give you notice that it is intended to take proceedings against the DRIVER of the vehicle below for the alleged offence of Excess Speed (30MPH)

THIS ALLEGATION IS SUPPORTED BY PHOTOGRAPHIC AND/OR VIDEO EVIDENCE..........etc, etc.

I know it was excess speed (which I don't condone) but come on 34mph in a 30mph zone (not as though I was doing 50-60 or more as some boy racers quite often do in that area), I was caught by a mobile speed camera van which was hidden on the top of a hill and behind a signpost, 4 mph is the width of the needle on my speedometer!, after an increase in West Yorkshire of car crime, theft from motor vehicles, etc should not the police be targeting other areas instead of ruthlessly pursuing motorists who go slightly over the speed limit (proberbly sour grapes I know), so to the Police Christmas Party Fund for 2006 here is my £60 contribution! (oh and not to forget my 3 points on my driving licence, only another 9 to go)

Don't they give you the option of attended some stupid road safety course for a day instead of having 3 points put on your licence? My mum got done for exactly the same thing as you and she had the choice of doing that.

Quoting Demoose (Reply 1):Don't they give you the option of attended some stupid road safety course for a day instead of having 3 points put on your licence? My mum got done for exactly the same thing as you and she had the choice of doing that.

Stupid speed cameras.
All it is is a money making ploy.
Make them provide the photo evidence, and then look it over. At 34 MPH I am sure you can argue the calibration or that they got another car going that fast. In the US most of the politicians are taking serious heat for allowing them . They take away due process, and violate the spirit of the speed laws.

Quoting Demoose (Reply 1):Don't they give you the option of attended some stupid road safety course for a day instead of having 3 points put on your licence? My mum got done for exactly the same thing as you and she had the choice of doing that.

Well, to be honest, if the road safety course is regarded as "stupid", then you may as well impose the fine and the points.

The whole point of the alternative was to try to discourage people from speeding in the future. If it doesn't, then it's failed.

And herein lies the question. Will the fine and the points stop you from doing it again? Is it more or less effective than, say, being pulled over by the police and being given a serious bollocking?

One of the most successful schemes recently introduced are the roadside cameras that flash up a "Slow Down" message or display your speed. They work, and they work well.

One thing the police have been concerned about is that speeding offences are the only times that otherwise law-abiding people are likely to come in contact with them. The issue of a large section of the population feeling, rightly or wrongly, victimised is damaging to relations, particularly in a country where policing by consent forms such a critical element.

I can't say I condone even going at 34mph in a built-up area. but I do feel that whacking someone with a £60 fine and 3 points surely can't be the best method of slowing you down in future.

Or will it? See, the point is how will it affect your future behaviour? Will you from now on stick to the speed limit in a 30 zone?

I thought most cameras triggered at 35mph - 10% of the actual limit, plus 2mph. Perhaps the 'Safety' (bollocks) partership have different trip speeds. In my experience they are always hidden at the bottom of hills or on long, straight roads where the temptation is greater.

Your speedo can legally over read by 10%, so I wouldn't worry if you creep over 30 occasionally.

No trees were harmed by this message. However, several million electrons were terribly inconvenienced

It is arranged in many constitutions around the world: All criminals are punished once for a crime! Traffic criminals are punished multiple times; money, points, higher insurance rates, possible jail-time, etc.. No, it is just a milkcow controlled by technology. And you think you live in a democracy? More like a police state! I can't wait to have some car-friendly political party run the EU. Many years of 'green' parties and other saloon socialists have obvious not brought anything good for car owners.

Be kind to animals! Last trip: ORF-IAD-NRT-IAD-ORF with UAExpress and ANA

Get in touch with a solicitor and ask him to request the calibration certificate.

All equipment such as radar guns must have been calibrated in the 12 hours preceding you being caught, and the officer operating it must have been on an approved course of instruction on it's use in order for the evidence to be admissable.

If it wasn't calibrated they can't prosecute you for it.

One of the little known facts I've picked up after dodging the law for many years ......

Statistically, people who have had the most birthdays tend to live the longest.

Quoting Banco (Reply 5):And herein lies the question. Will the fine and the points stop you from doing it again? Is it more or less effective than, say, being pulled over by the police and being given a serious bollocking?

Oh and it has done, I keep looking at my speedo every couple of seconds or so!!!!!!!!

Good driving is all about anticipating the road ahead. This is why there are so many accidents because people don't anticipate the road. They are too busy on mobile phones and picking their noses. On the driving course they teach you to look at what's going on on the road way out in front so that you have time to react.

Quoting EZYAirbus (Reply 9):Thats harsh, im pretty sure, they allow 10% over the limit i.e 33mph doing you for 1mph does seem pretty cruel to me.....hope you get the option to take the alternate 1 day course

A friend of mine is a traffic cop (I have told him once or twice what I think of his lot!) and he tells me depending on the Officer, they will allow up to 10% + 3 or 4 mph.

EG - in a 30 zone, you could feasibly get away with 37 mph, 48 in a 40, 59 in a 50 etc. Apparently too, if you stick below 80 on most M-ways, you'd be pretty unlucky to get a ticket.

Quoting Cxsjr (Reply 19):Apparently too, if you stick below 80 on most M-ways, you'd be pretty unlucky to get a ticket.

From what I've been told from the traffic police that I teach the advanced handling course too, in the UK it is official policy not to prosecute anyone travelling below 85 Mph on a motorway providing that rest of the traffic is moving at a similar speed.

Dunno if that was just a bit of briefing room bollocks though .....

Statistically, people who have had the most birthdays tend to live the longest.

That is stupid, only 4 mph over. Two ways to go. First I would try and see if there is a driver improvement class or something that will keep it off your record.
Or, try and fight it and say your speedo was slightly off.

You have to remember it is all about MAKING MONEY. Cameras, congestion charging, road tolls, private motorways etc are all designed to create revenue, not better or help the needs of people in a given locality.

I am very much in favour of the signs that show your speed and then a happy or sad face according to whether you are going too fast or not. These work and make people think without making them angry or feeling as though they have been deliberately victimised.

Proof of the desire for MONEY NOT SAFETY is that when London Boroughs want to install these devices, Transport For London overules using their right to 'TRN routes' (i.e. important roads) and block such action. They then rapidly install spped camers at the very points where local councils wanted the speed display devices!!! This has occurred repeatedly, the most reported instance being that of The London Borough of Bromley Vs. TfL. Guess who won?

A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

Irrelevent and expensive. The ticket's gonna cost 60pounds. Retaining an attorney and then trying to prove your speedometer is off, or the camera isn't calibrated, blah blah blah, is going to cost much more than that.

Likely, none of the above would be true - your speedo is probably accurate as is the camera. Now, you're out the attorney fees, court costs, testing fees for your speedo and the camera, and still have the 60pound fine and 3 points.

Pay it and be on your way . . .

Looking into the class might be worth it if your driving records sucks so badly the three points will hurt - or if it will drive up your insurance rates.